Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary
248 Ridgewood Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28209
Once a private residence, Wing Haven features four acres filled with woods, formal gardens and walks. The gardens, designed as a bird sanctuary, provide plenty of food and shelter for numerous species of birds. Visitors can also tour the home and visit the garden shop.

UNC-Charlotte Botanical Gardens
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223
704-547-2555
These gardens feature hundreds of varieties of flowers, from roses to rhododendron to crepe myrtles to cymbidium orchids. The Van Landingham Glen, one of the leading rhododendron gardens in the Southeast, and the Susie Harwood Garden with its Oriental gazebo, winter garden, and plants from around the world, are both open to the public daily during daylight hours. A special highlight of the Greenhouse is a two-story simulated rain forest. The Greenhouse also offers a number of other climate areas which house desert plants, winter-flowering orchids, carnivorous pitcher plants and many others.

The Energy Explorium at Lake Norman
13339 Hagers Ferry Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-875-5600
Located at McGuire Nuclear Station, the Explorium features a a number of hands-on exhibits and interactive games designed to introduce and educate kids about the wonders of atomic power generation. The Explorium also offers a mile-long nature trail, wildflower garden, and picnic area.

Paramount's Carowinds Water and Theme Park
14523 Carowinds Blvd
Charlotte, NC
704-588-2600
Paramount's Carowinds Water and Theme Park commands over 100 acres and includes more than 50 roller coasters and thrill rides. The WaterWorks boasts water slides, a river ride, and a wave pool. The Drop Zone hoists you and your loved ones up100 feet and gives you a serious scare as it (safely) drops you. The Carolina Cyclone coaster includes four consecutive 360-degree loops and a 450-degree uphill helix. Top Gun: The Jet Coaster is an inverted steel coaster (the only one in the Carolinas) with floorless cars suspended below the track; its six stomach-churning inversions challenge even veteran riders. For a break from the thrill seeking, visitors might want to head over to the Family Fun area that features kid-paced attractions and rides, with several life-size Hanna-Barbera and Nickelodeon cartoon characters roaming the streets.

Charlotte Metro Zoo
4400 Cook Rd
Rockwell, NC 28138
704-279-6363
Large cats, primates, bears, and reptiles call this zoo home, and there's a large petting zoo for the kids. Bring a lunch and enjoy the picnic facilities.

Historic Latta Plantation
5225 Sample Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-875-2312
The house, built in the early 1800s by prosperous traveling merchant James Latta, has been carefully restored and refurbished with antiques approximating, as closely as possible, the Lattas' original furnishings. Several personable and knowledgeable costumed guides lead tours throughout the two-story, Federal-style home. Visitors should be prepared to make a day of it -- Latta Place is just one of Latta Plantation Park's many offerings. The Carolina Raptor Center, an Equestrian Center, canoe rentals, and picnic areas also await guests.


Independence Park
Charlotte, NC 28204
704-336-3854
Newly remodeled Independence Park is located in the popular Elizabeth and Chantilly neighborhoods near the hospitals and downtown Charlotte. The park has big playgrounds with new, lead-free equipment for the kids including a special toddler area, as well as soccer fields, basketball courts and nearby tennis courts.

NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway
Concord Mills Shopping Mall
704-979-3000
Anyone who's ever thought about driving a real Winston Cup racing car should jump at the chance to visit this part of the Concord Mills Shopping Mall. Visitors strap themselves in to one of 12 fully-equipped, 750-horsepower interactive stock cars and take it for a virtual spin. All the motions, sights and sounds of the races are there.